Cristiano Ronaldo’s sister Katia Aveiro lashed out at his critics after he was targeted following the Nations League defeat to Spain on Tuesday. She called Portugal fans “petty, soulless, stupid and forever ungrateful” in a scathing rant towards his critics.
Aveiro took to Instagram and vented out her anger as she wrote, “He has his family and those who love him by his side. They will always be by his side, no matter what. But the current times don’t surprise me at all. The Portuguese spit on the plate they eat [from], it has always been that way.”
She continued, “That’s why when someone appears from the ashes and changes mentalities, it bothers… With you always, my king. Calm down. It is necessary to give a hand to those who have always given theirs to Portugal. But the Portuguese are sick, petty, soulless, stupid, ungrateful, and forever ungrateful. This guy who’s sitting, he’s on his knees… There’s no one to give him a hand.”
“It is cruel. And it was already so much, but so much that he gave and gives. The one sitting is called Cristiano Ronaldo and he is just the best player in the world,” she further added.
Meanwhile, Portuguese publication A Bola called for the 37-year-old to be dropped from Portugal’s starting XI ahead of their Nations League group decider against Spain, using the headline ‘Less Ronaldo, More Portugal’ in their paper.
The report also claimed Ronaldo ‘is losing influence in the selection’, a piece of analysis that came just days after he notched an assist for his country in their 4-0 win against the Czech Republic in Prague.
But some of the Portuguese press clearly feels he does not deserve to start with the Qatar World Cup in sight. The former Real Madrid and Juventus forward has started just once in the Premier League for Manchester United this season, scoring one goal for his side in all competition.
With the World Cup approaching, Ronaldo will be hoping to get more minutes in the Premier League to earn his place in Portugal’s squad for Qatar. The 37-year-old could return to action on Sunday when United travel to City for the Manchester derby.
